 nialith wrote:Exactly. They just decided how many people they thought was the "right" amount for that year and capped it. From what I've heard, that same attendance cap will be in place next year. It will be interesting to see if they hit it again since it's not a special year like GenCon 50. The Indianapolis 500 sold out on the 100th running for the first time in forever but immediately went back to not selling out the next year.

Not trying to argue here, so just know that this is an honest question, do you really believe that the Indy 500 is comparable to Gen Con? As I understand it, Indy car racing itself is kind of on the decline when compared to gaming conventions that seem to be on the up and up. Am I wrong in this assumption?

​​​​​No worries, I don't think I was clear on the fact that the only comparison I was attempting to make was the fact that last year was a "special" year for Gen Con. Those mile markers so to speak tend to draw extra people that may not have normally attended. In the case of the 500, it was the 100th running so some people just want to say they were there for it.

I think that contributed to the attendance bump Gen Con got last year so I'm curious to see if it can be sustained. However, as Matthias9 points out though, attendance was already pretty close to the cap so the popularity of board games may keep us at that cap and we won't see a drop off.

 nialith wrote:Exactly. They just decided how many people they thought was the "right" amount for that year and capped it. From what I've heard, that same attendance cap will be in place next year. It will be interesting to see if they hit it again since it's not a special year like GenCon 50. The Indianapolis 500 sold out on the 100th running for the first time in forever but immediately went back to not selling out the next year.

Not trying to argue here, so just know that this is an honest question, do you really believe that the Indy 500 is comparable to Gen Con? As I understand it, Indy car racing itself is kind of on the decline when compared to gaming conventions that seem to be on the up and up. Am I wrong in this assumption?

You have to remember we live inside the board game bubble. Most people still do not even know board games outside Monopoly exist. However, most people at least know of auto racing and the Indianapolis 500. I see the track can hold upwards of 300,000 people which is 5 times what Gen Con currently holds. So at their best, Gen Con does not compare to the Indy 500. At a lower point, I am not sure.

I can see your point, honestly, if less people show up this year, my wife and I will be happy to have a little more moving room haha. Have a great con!

 nialith wrote:Exactly. They just decided how many people they thought was the "right" amount for that year and capped it. From what I've heard, that same attendance cap will be in place next year. It will be interesting to see if they hit it again since it's not a special year like GenCon 50. The Indianapolis 500 sold out on the 100th running for the first time in forever but immediately went back to not selling out the next year.

Not trying to argue here, so just know that this is an honest question, do you really believe that the Indy 500 is comparable to Gen Con? As I understand it, Indy car racing itself is kind of on the decline when compared to gaming conventions that seem to be on the up and up. Am I wrong in this assumption?

You have to remember we live inside the board game bubble. Most people still do not even know board games outside Monopoly exist. However, most people at least know of auto racing and the Indianapolis 500. I see the track can hold upwards of 300,000 people which is 5 times what Gen Con currently holds. So at their best, Gen Con does not compare to the Indy 500. At a lower point, I am not sure.

I can see your point, honestly, if less people show up this year, my wife and I will be happy to have a little more moving room haha. Have a great con!

Thank you. You as well. Yeah, my little one could be walking by that point and a little less people wouldn't be a bad thing. It was pretty easy with him at 2 months last year, in his baby sling.

 del_grande wrote:(Pardon me for pretty much repeating something I posted in the Fans of GenCon FB group - is there some policy, written or otherwise, about that?)
I see in the Policies & Show Information page, under "On-site Badge Registration," it says:
"On-site Badge Registration will not be available at Gen Con 2018 this year. For additional information about the various badge types and associated costs, please visit the Badge Registration kiosks onsite or check out our Registration page."I read this as, badges must be purchased online; nobody can walk into the Convention Center, put down their money (or credit card info), and get a badge on the spot. Of course, nothing (other than all of the badges being sold out) stops someone from ordering one online during GenCon, except that I think it takes 24 hours for them to be processed.
However, if this is true, then why does it mention "Badge Registration kiosks"?

Thanks for pointing this out. It is an editing error. It has been updated!

Slipped through the cracks but what can I say, I’ve got my 51st Gen Con to plan...

 del_grande wrote:(Pardon me for pretty much repeating something I posted in the Fans of GenCon FB group - is there some policy, written or otherwise, about that?)
I see in the Policies & Show Information page, under "On-site Badge Registration," it says:
"On-site Badge Registration will not be available at Gen Con 2018 this year. For additional information about the various badge types and associated costs, please visit the Badge Registration kiosks onsite or check out our Registration page."I read this as, badges must be purchased online; nobody can walk into the Convention Center, put down their money (or credit card info), and get a badge on the spot. Of course, nothing (other than all of the badges being sold out) stops someone from ordering one online during GenCon, except that I think it takes 24 hours for them to be processed.
However, if this is true, then why does it mention "Badge Registration kiosks"?

Thanks for pointing this out. It is an editing error. It has been updated!Slipped through the cracks but what can I say, I’ve got my 51st Gen Con to plan...
Mike Boozer
Customer Service & Event Team Manager
Gen Con LLC

 del_grande wrote:(Pardon me for pretty much repeating something I posted in the Fans of GenCon FB group - is there some policy, written or otherwise, about that?)
I see in the Policies & Show Information page, under "On-site Badge Registration," it says:
"On-site Badge Registration will not be available at Gen Con 2018 this year. For additional information about the various badge types and associated costs, please visit the Badge Registration kiosks onsite or check out our Registration page."I read this as, badges must be purchased online; nobody can walk into the Convention Center, put down their money (or credit card info), and get a badge on the spot. Of course, nothing (other than all of the badges being sold out) stops someone from ordering one online during GenCon, except that I think it takes 24 hours for them to be processed.
However, if this is true, then why does it mention "Badge Registration kiosks"?

Thanks for pointing this out. It is an editing error. It has been updated!Slipped through the cracks but what can I say, I’ve got my 51st Gen Con to plan...
Mike Boozer
Customer Service & Event Team Manager
Gen Con LLC

So - you're planning the 50th Anniversary? {grins and ducks}

Yes, you notice I did not say "Anniversary". We wouldn't want to cause any confusion ;)